Activity Therapist

Acadia Healthcare•Malden, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Acadia Healthcare and Tufts Medicine have partnered to create the Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital, a 144-bed facility in Malden, Massachusetts, planned to open in early 2026. Activity Therapists plan, direct, and implement activity therapy programs as part of patients’ treatment plans. They assess patients’ needs, skills, interests, and limitations; develop and deliver therapeutic activities; and help patients progress toward treatment goals and improve their mental and physical well-being.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreational Therapy, or a related field.
Three or more years of experience in recreation in a healthcare setting, with knowledge of the patient population served by the facility.
A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential or current progress toward national certification; certification in a specialty area such as art, dance, or music; or clinical professional licensure such as LCPC or LPC with certification in an expressive therapy area.
CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Previous experience in recreation in a healthcare setting.
First aid, if required by state or facility requirements.

Responsibilities

Assess patients through observation and interviews with patients and families to identify needs, skills, interests, and limitations for treatment planning.
Plan, organize, direct, and implement activities within the treatment program to support progress toward treatment goals.
Plan and deliver programs that include therapeutic leisure skills and activities, leisure education, and leisure awareness.
Facilitate and lead activity sessions to improve patients’ mental and physical well-being.
Instruct patients in activities and techniques such as sports, dance, music, art, and relaxation, based on their needs.
Develop treatment plans and implement activity interventions that meet patients’ needs and interests and help them achieve treatment goals.
Engage patients in therapeutic activities, including exercise, games, and community outings.
Help patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
Modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers.
Acknowledge and work to resolve complaints when patient needs are not met.
Prioritize patient safety.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.